Multi-tone ultrasonic proximity detection
AssigneeSynaptics Incorporated
InventorMihai M. Bulea
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an input object is provided. The apparatus may include one or more capacitive sensor electrodes, a speaker, a microphone, and a processor. The one or more capacitive sensor electrodes may detect a change in capacitance. The processor may cause the speaker to generate a first audio signal. The microphone may receive a first audio signal having the first frequency and a reflected first audio signal. The processor may determine a first phase difference between the first audio signal and the reflected first audio signal. The apparatus may detect the presence of the input object based on the determined first phase difference and the determined change in capacitance.
Claims20
A method for detecting input objects by an input device, comprising:
- outputting a first audio signal via an audio output component of the input device;
- receiving the first audio signal and a reflection of the first audio signal via an audio input component of the input device;
- determining a first phase difference between the received first audio signal and the received reflection of the first audio signal;
- detecting a change in capacitance associated with a sensing region of the input device, the sensing region being provided at least in part by a plurality of sensor electrodes;
- and
- detecting a presence of an input object based at least in part on the detected change in capacitance and the determined first phase difference.
An electronic system comprising:
- one or more capacitive sensor electrodes;
- an audio input component;
- an audio output component;
- one or more processors;
- and
- a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic system to:
- output a first audio signal via the audio output component;
- receive the first audio signal and a reflection of the first audio signal via the audio input component;
- determine a first phase difference between the received first audio signal and the received reflection of the first audio signal;
- detect a change in capacitance associated with a sensing region of the electronic system, the sensing region being provided at least in part by a plurality of sensor electrodes;
- and
- detect a presence of an input object based at least in part on the detected change in capacitance and the determined first phase difference.
An electronic system comprising:
- means for outputting a first audio signal via an audio output component of an input device;
- means for receiving the first audio signal and a reflection of the first audio signal via an audio input component;
- means for determining a phase difference between received first audio signal and the received reflection of the first audio signal;
- means for detecting a change in a capacitance associated with a sensing region of the input device, the sensing region being provided at least in part by a plurality of sensor electrodes;
- and
- means for detecting a presence of an input object based at least in part on the detected change in the capacitance and the determined phase difference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.